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| photo by Julius Schorzman |
I’m an addict—a coffee addict. Over the years I’ve
been told caffeine is bad for me. At one point years ago “they” were even
saying something about a link between coffee and cancer and heart disease. According
to the Mayo Clinic, recent studies not only disproved this but have found many
benefits to coffee consumption. Here are a few of them:
Coffee is loaded with antioxidants. A University of
Scranton study found that Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee
than any other source.
An Australian study found that muscles recovered
faster after strenuous workouts when people drank several cups of coffee after exercising.
According to a study of 400,000 older adults
conducted by the National Institutes of Health and AARP, people who regularly
drink coffee are less likely to die from all causes than non-coffee drinkers.
A study published in The American Journal of Medicine found that women who drank coffee
were less likely to suffer from tinnitus.
Research conducted in Florida found that three cups
of coffee a day may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in older people
with mild cognitive impairments.
A Japanese study found that people who drank coffee
on a daily basis had a 20% less chance of having a stroke than people who
didn’t drink coffee. The study monitored over 83,000 adults between 45 and 74
years old.
A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that consuming
coffee may protect against deteriorating eyesight.
Other studies have found coffee may protect against
Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease (including liver
cancer.) Other studies find coffee can improve cognitive function and decrease
the risk of depression.
Of course, drinking too much coffee does have its
risks, including the jitters and insomnia in some people.
The key is moderation. So use common sense, enjoy your java, and reap the
benefits.
